Towards a New Definition of Return-to-Work Outcomes in Common Mental Disorders from a Multi-Stakeholder Perspective

Objectives: To examine the perspectives of key stakeholders involved in the return-to-work (RTW) process regarding the definition of successful RTW outcome after sickness absence related to common mental disorders (CMD's). Methods: A mixed-method design was used: First, we used qualitative methods (focus groups, interviews) to identify a broad range of criteria important for the definition of successful RTW (N = 57). Criteria were grouped into content-related clusters. Second, we used a quantitative approach (online questionnaire) to identify, among a larger stakeholder sample (N = 178), the clusters and criteria most important for successful RTW. Results: A total of 11 clusters, consisting of 52 unique criteria, were identified. In defining successful RTW, supervisors and occupational physicians regarded "Sustainability'' and "At-work functioning" most important, while employees regarded "Sustainability," "Job satisfaction," "Work-home balance,'' and " Mental Functioning" most important. Despite agreement on the importance of certain criteria, considerable differences among stakeholders were observed. Conclusions: Key stakeholders vary in the aspects and criteria they regard as important when defining successful RTW after CMD-related sickness absence. Current definitions of RTW outcomes used in scientific research may not accurately reflect these key stakeholder perspectives. Future studies should be more aware of the perspective from which they aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a RTW intervention, and define their RTW outcomes accordingly

Effectiveness of adjuvant occupational therapy in employees with depression: design of a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Major depressive disorder is among the medical conditions with the highest negative impact on work outcome. However, little is known regarding evidence-based interventions targeting the improvement of work outcomes in depressed employees. In this paper, the design of a randomized controlled trial is presented in order to evaluate the effectiveness of adjuvant occupational therapy in employees with depression. This occupational intervention is based on an earlier intervention, which was designed and proven effective by our research group, and is the only intervention to date that specifically targets work outcome in depressed employees.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>In a two-arm randomized controlled trial, a total of 117 participants are randomized to either 'care as usual' or <it>' </it>care as usual' with the addition of occupational therapy. Patients included in the study are employees who are absent from work due to depression for at least 25% of their contract hours, and who have a possibility of returning to their own or a new job. The occupational intervention consists of six individual sessions, eight group sessions and a work-place visit over a 16-week period. By increasing exposure to the working environment, and by stimulating communication between employer and employee, the occupational intervention aims to enhance self-efficacy and the acquisition of more adaptive coping strategies. Assessments take place at baseline, and at 6, 12, and 18-month follow-ups. Primary outcome measure is work participation (hours of absenteeism and time until work resumption). Secondary outcome measures are work functioning, symptomatology, health-related quality of life, and neurocognitive functioning. In addition, cost-effectiveness is evaluated from a societal perspective. Finally, mechanisms of change (intermediate outcomes) and potential patient-treatment matching variables are investigated.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study hopes to provide valuable knowledge regarding an intervention to treat depression, one of the most common and debilitating diseases of our time. If our intervention is proven (cost-) effective, the personal, economic, and health benefits for both patients and employers are far-reaching.</p> <p>Trial registration number</p> <p>NTR2057</p

Effectiveness of adjuvant occupational therapy in employees with depression: design of a randomized controlled trial

General rights It is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), other than for strictly personal, individual use, unless the work is under an open content license (like Creative Commons). Disclaimer/Complaints regulations If you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library: https://uba.uva.nl/en/contact, or a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will be contacted as soon as possible. Abstract Background: Major depressive disorder is among the medical conditions with the highest negative impact on work outcome. However, little is known regarding evidence-based interventions targeting the improvement of work outcomes in depressed employees. In this paper, the design of a randomized controlled trial is presented in order to evaluate the effectiveness of adjuvant occupational therapy in employees with depression. This occupational intervention is based on an earlier intervention, which was designed and proven effective by our research group, and is the only intervention to date that specifically targets work outcome in depressed employees. Methods/Design: In a two-arm randomized controlled trial, a total of 117 participants are randomized to either &apos;care as usual&apos; or &apos; care as usual&apos; with the addition of occupational therapy. Patients included in the study are employees who are absent from work due to depression for at least 25% of their contract hours, and who have a possibility of returning to their own or a new job. The occupational intervention consists of six individual sessions, eight group sessions and a work-place visit over a 16-week period. By increasing exposure to the working environment, and by stimulating communication between employer and employee, the occupational intervention aims to enhance self-efficacy and the acquisition of more adaptive coping strategies. Assessments take place at baseline, and at 6, 12, and 18-month follow-ups. Primary outcome measure is work participation (hours of absenteeism and time until work resumption). Secondary outcome measures are work functioning, symptomatology, health-related quality of life, and neurocognitive functioning. In addition, cost-effectiveness is evaluated from a societal perspective. Finally, mechanisms of change (intermediate outcomes) and potential patient-treatment matching variables are investigated. Discussion: This study hopes to provide valuable knowledge regarding an intervention to treat depression, one of the most common and debilitating diseases of our time. If our intervention is proven (cost-) effective, the personal, economic, and health benefits for both patients and employers are far-reaching

Predictors of long-term return to work and symptom remission in sick-listed patients with major depression

Although major depressive disorder (MDD) has substantial negative effects on work outcomes, little is known regarding how to promote a return to work (RTW) after MDD-related sickness absence. The present study aimed to examine predictors across multiple domains for long-term RTW in patients who are sick-listed because of their MDD, and to compare these with predictors for long-term symptom remission. Participants (n = 117) were diagnosed with MDD according to DSM-IV criteria, absent from work for at least 25% of their contract hours, and referred by occupational physicians to outpatient treatment. Long-term full RTW (working the full number of contract hours for at least 4 weeks) and long-term symptom remission (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score ≤ 7) were examined during the 18-month follow-up. Potential predictors (diagnostic, sociodemographic, personality, and work-related) were assessed at baseline. Data were collected from December 2007 to March 2011. Stepwise logistic regression analyses with backward elimination (P ≤ .05) resulted in a final prediction model including depression severity (odds ratio [OR] = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87-0.97; P = .003), comorbid anxiety (OR = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.05-0.84; P = .028), work motivation (OR = 1.87; 95% CI, 1.18-2.96; P = .008), and conscientiousness (OR = 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.18; P = .012) as predictors of long-term RTW. Long-term symptom remission was only predicted by depression severity (OR = 0.93; 95% CI, 0.89-0.98; P = .005). Whereas long-term symptom remission is only predicted by diagnostic factors, long-term RTW is also predicted by personal and work-related factors. These findings provide suggestions for the development of new interventions to improve both symptom remission and long-term RTW in sick-listed patients with MD

Longitudinal relationship between depressive symptoms and work outcomes in clinically treated patients with long-term sickness absence related to major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) negatively affects a wide range of work outcomes (absenteeism, work productivity, work limitations). However, the exact longitudinal relationship between depressive symptoms and work outcomes in MDD patients with long-term sickness absence is still unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the temporal and directional relationship between depressive symptoms and various work outcomes in these patients. Patients (n = 117) were diagnosed with MDD according to DSM-IV criteria, had a median duration of MDD-related sickness absence of 4.8 months (IQR = 2.6-10.1 months) at baseline, and were referred by occupational physicians. All patients received outpatient treatment for their MDD. Depressive symptoms and work outcomes were examined during baseline, and 6-, 12- and 18-month follow-ups. Within-subject changes in the severity of depressive symptoms were significantly related to within-subject changes in all work outcomes (all scales: p < 0.001). Earlier reduction in depressive symptoms predicted subsequent improvements in all work outcomes (all scales: p < 0.05). Conversely, only earlier improvement in Time Management (p = 0.007) and Mental/Interpersonal (p < 0.001) work limitations predicted a subsequent reduction in depressive symptoms. All work outcomes were assessed through self-report. Work limitations at the start of absenteeism were retrospectively assessed. Symptom reduction remains crucial for improving adverse work outcomes in MDD patients with long-term sickness absence. In addition, a treatment focus on qualitative functioning in the workplace may accelerate depression recover

Adjuvant occupational therapy improves long-term depression recovery and return-to-work in good health in sick-listed employees with major depression: results of a randomised controlled trial

To evaluate whether adjuvant occupational therapy (OT) can improve the effectiveness of treatment-as-usual (TAU) in sick-listed employees with major depression. In total, 117 employees sick-listed for a median duration of 4.8 months (IQR=2.6 to 10.1 months) because of major depression were randomised to TAU (n=39) or adjuvant OT (TAU+OT; n=78). OT (18 sessions) focussed on a fast return to work (RTW) and improving work-related coping and self-efficacy. The primary outcome was work participation (hours of absenteeism+duration until partial/full RTW). Secondary outcomes were depression, at-work functioning, and health-related functioning. Intermediate outcomes were work-related, coping and self-efficacy. Blinded assessments occurred at baseline and 6, 12 and 18 months follow-up. The groups did not significantly differ in their overall work participation (adjusted group difference=-1.9, 95% CI -19.9 to +16.2). However, those in TAU+OT did show greater improvement in depression symptoms (-2.8, -5.5 to -0.2), an increased probability of long-term symptom remission (+18%, +7% to +30%), and increased probability of long-term RTW in good health (GH) (+24%, 12% to 36%). There were no significant group differences in the remaining secondary/intermediate outcomes. In a highly impaired population, we could not demonstrate significant benefit of adjuvant OT for improving overall work participation. However, adjuvant OT did increase long-term depression recovery and long-term RTW in GH (ie, full RTW while being remitted, and with better work and role functioning). TRIAL REGISTRATION DUTCH TRIAL REGISTER: NTR205

Percentage of participants who regarded the indicated cluster in their top-three of most important clusters for a successful RTW outcome (clusters are ordered according to their overall average percentage).^a

a<p>Clusters with ≥40% agreement are in bold. ^bOP  =  occupational physician. ^cAverage percentage is calculated as: (% employees + % supervisors + % OP’s)/3.</p

Percentage of employees, supervisors, and occupational physicians (OP’s) who regarded a certain criterion most important to a successful RTW outcome.^a

a<p>Only participants who rated a specific cluster as important in step 1 of the questionnaire are included in these analyses. ^b Percentages represent those participants who regarded criterion “A” as most important for successful RTW. ^c As participants were able to select more than one criterion, the percentages do not sum to a total of 100%. ^d Mean (SD). ^e WIA  =  disability pension; WW  =  unemployment benefits; bijstand  =  welfare.</p

Meta cluster Healthcare; Clusters and Statements.

<p>Meta cluster Healthcare; Clusters and Statements.</p